Jointed How To

[numbskull]

This is a good plug. It is heavy (almost 3 oz), casts well, sits low in the water, and swims nice and slow. Bass love it. Bear with me (it will take a few posts) and I'll show you how I build it.

[numbskull]

Use AYC, turn to 1". The front half is 4 1/2 ", the rear 4". The tail taper starts about 3" from the tail. The front hook is 1 3/4" back from the nose, the rear hook 1 3/8" from the joint. I use a Lefty 2 mid slot lip (NJ tackle). I cut the plug in half before drilling to be sure the wire is centered in the joint.

To weight the plug, I use three through wire weights. In the front of the tail section there is a 1" x 7/32" weight (cc tackle) that I've drilled out a bit to accomodate the doubled wire loop (it weighs 4.2 grams).
In the back of the front section I use a 5/16x 1" weight (9 grams), and in the nose I use a similar 5/16 x 1" weight that I cut in 1/2 (3.6 grams it ends up weighing) at an angle then enlarge the hole to accomodate the doubled tail of the nose loop.

[ProfessorM]

Thanks George. I'd like to try one.

[numbskull]

To drill the through wire weight holes I've found step drills to be helpful in following the wire hole. These I got from Mcmaster-Carr, but I think W.L.Fuller has a bigger selection. They are pricey (@12-15 bucks I think), but work nice.

[ProfessorM]

Those are similar to what i use. Mine are flat bottomed 2 fluted with a pilot, 5/32 dia.. I made them. They work really well and make drilling the tail hole very easy especially on small dia. needles and such. You can even use a hand drill because they wont walk as they follow the thru hole. I do use a drill press type machine though, it is easier but in a pinch a hand drill will work. Worth the investment.

[numbskull]

Assemble the plug, leave the joint loose enough so the tail can swing 90 degrees, it will cast better that way. When you float it, it should float with the back just barely ou of the water, and the head just barely submerged. Use a long hackle and no hook on the tail. I use 3/0 on the belly. This is what you get. Try making one, I think you'll be pleased.

[ProfessorM]

I like it very much and it only took 10 minutes to make complete.

[tattoobob]

I like it when I get to see a how to it really put the whole thing into perspective Thanks

[Tagger]

I'm going to make one ... thanks for letting me copy your homework George ..

[Slipknot]

BRILLIANT!

[PNG]

Thanks George

[Jigman]

Cool ideas! Had not seen those drill bits before. Would work on other plugs too.

Jigman

[Bay Stalker]

Thank you for the tips numbskull

[Highpockets]

Thank for the nice tutorial. A while back someone posted a way to make the front "tail" loop by doubling over the wire, pushing it through, then widening it into a loop with a nail. I'm not sure which is easier, but I look forward to building one of these. Thanks for posting the drill bits, they look very useful.

[stripercrazy]

I'm been playing with one but havent weighted it yet

[Rockfish9]

Sweet plug, definate bass candy, I make a couple variations just like it, bass do love 'em!

[Lower]

Thanks a lot George. Really nice of you to post that. It's that kind of stuff that makes this forum so great. Can't wait to give it a try.

[islander]

Great Post as always, thanks George